Omni-channel betting and igaming giant Playtech has launched Placard.pt in association with Sociedade de Apostas Sociais (SAS), the Portuguese online gaming and betting operator.

Playtech made an agreement with SAS, which will allow the latter to use its IMS player management platform and new Playtech BGT Sports online sportsbook.

The deal is part of Playtech’s expansion into Portugal, a newly regulated market with strong potential. The multi-year agreement with SAS will see Playtech integrate its data-driven IMS player management platform and single wallet functionality into SAS’s operation, powering its entire online offering with an integrated solution.

This launch is the latest PBS roll-out in a new and emerging regulated market. Earlier this year, Playtech strengthened its position in the Colombian market, when it agreed a deal to supply SSBTs, tills (over the counter), an online sportsbook, as well as managed services to Sportium Colombia.

Playtech will offer a complete omni-channel service. With one of SAS’s major shareholders being Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, the country’s state lottery provider, the deal gives Playtech greater visibility in the lottery segment.

There will be no database integration or sharing of player information between the online operation and Santa Casa’s land-based gaming operation. In 2017, Playtech also signed a three-year agreement with OPAP, the Greek betting and lottery operator. Dr Paulo Calado, CEO at SAS, said: “Our objective is to operate in this market with a range of games for users of the platform that are also intuitive and reliable.”

Shimon Akad, COO at Playtech, added: “This is an exciting deal because it moves us into an important market. Integrating two of our key products, in IMS and PBS, has been an important strategic step for Playtech.”

“Its launch, which was timed to coincide with the World Cup, comes at the perfect moment.”

Source: intergameonline.com

Parimatch, a top gaming operator in Russia and the CIS region having a user base of 1.7 million, has become the official UFC Betting Partner for the entire EMEA region, except for the UK and Ireland.

The first ever UFC event in Russia will take place at Moscow’s Olympic Stadium in September, which will have Parimatch as an “introducing partner.”

As per the company’s stats, 5% of its customers currently bet on UFC. The company planning to increase that to 10% within the year. This deal is expected to boost the customer base significantly.

CEO Sergey Portnov (pictured with UFC president Dana White) identified growth in mixed martial arts as the “No.1 priority for the company.”

He told iGamingBusiness.com: “UFC is the fastest growing kind of sports in the world after, I guess, cyber-sports. Everybody understands it’s a trend.”

“Parimatch is a trend company, and is aiming to become a leading company. When such an organisation like UFC enters the CIS market, we would like to be associated with the brand. We were the first to understand that UFC will need a partner and have built our partnership relations.”

Cyprus-headquartered Parimatch is already a sponsor of Ukraine’s national football team and partner of Ukrainian Premier League champion Shakhtar Donetsk, Russian Premier League side FC Rostov and Cypriot title-holder APOEL. It also holds partnerships with major hockey and basketball leagues in Ukraine. iGamingBusiness.com understands that esports team Virtus.pro will also soon be added to its portfolio.

As part of its partnership with UFC, Parimatch explained that its logo will be incorporated into athletes’ apparel and be displayed in the octagon and on the UFC.com website. Parimatch believes it can play a major role in building UFC’s presence in its own home region.

“This partnership is strategic and long-term. We aim to fix the MMA category for ourselves,” Portnov added.

“Passion drives our company, and we are ready to build a close and robust relationship with UFC and help them to develop this market. We are prepared to accustom the audience to such a great sport as MMA.”

Source: igamingbusiness.com

Supplier’s portfolio granted certification as it boosts global presence 

Monday 16^th July 2018: Leading UK-based game studio Blueprint Gaming has continued with its international growth strategy after receiving game certification for the Italian market.

The supplier’s suite of games has been certified to the requirements of the Italian regulator AAMS, including top titles Genie Jackpot, King Kong Cash, TED and new release Wish Upon a Leprechaun, as well as the company’s operator-specific Jackpot King progressive system.

Blueprint’s expansion into Italy follows the company’s recent move into Romania and Denmark, highlighting its commitment to operating in regulated markets across Europe.

The supplier is also aiming to secure certification to operate in the Spanish market in the coming months, boosting its international footprint even further.

Matt Cole, Managing Director of Blueprint Gaming, said: “This year has seen us actively grow our presence in Europe’s regulated markets and I’m thrilled that our games are now live in Italy.

“The Italian iGaming industry continues to evolve and it was an important step for us to be involved in such an exciting territory.

“We’re confident that players in the region will enjoy our feature-rich games and look forward to working with operators active in the country.”

About Blueprint Gaming:

Blueprint Gaming is a leading UK based game studio and part of Germany’s Gauselmann Group. It creates exciting slot games for the global online and mobile markets and its games are also available to be played on over 100,000 land-based gaming terminals across the UK, Germany and Italy.As well as its original content, which has become hugely popular, it has developed successful slots based on a broad range of third party brands, offering players familiarity and operators unique marketing opportunities.Blueprint Gaming design and development team strives to push creative boundaries in the creation of slots that are as successful for its operating partners as they are entertaining and engaging for its players.

Blueprint is licensed to develop and supply online games by the UK Gambling Commission and Alderney Gambling Control Commission.